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This is a canvas that I decorated for Mackenzie’s wall. I’d been looking for something to match her quilt, but couldn’t find anything. So I made one. I used a $2.00 canvas from the dollar store and my Cricut. I love it! I’m so pleased with how it turned out. The colors match perfectly. And she is thrilled with it! “You did a good job on the details, Mommy!” Now we just need to get her walls painted so it can be hung up. (Oh, the never-ending renovations!)

(Hard to believe it’s been almost a year since my last post–I think I forgot I even had a blog!)

She’s a Valley Bulldog. And now for your total reading boredom pleasure, a little bit of history.

Ray has always wanted a Valley Bulldog. (They’re a cross between a bull dog and a boxer–and the Valley, because apparently, they’re from here, yup, right from our very own gorgeous AnnapolisValley!) So, Ray has wanted one, yadayadayada, but it’s never worked out for him. He’d find some for sale, he would call, and they’d be gone, or we’d find some for sale, but money would be tight.

So, he was at work a few weeks back, and was talking with the guys about dogs. His love of this breed came up, and one of the guys said that he had a friend that breeded them, and would find out when the next litter would be ready to go. A few hours later, he hands Ray his phone and says “Here, he’s got one for you.” Turns out he had a 4 year old female, who hasn’t bred the past two times he’s tried. So he wants to give her away. And guess who gets her?

Great guess! We brought her home that night.

And yes. She’s not very cute. That’s what Ray loves about her. She’s also extremely well-behaved. And I appreciate that about her.

This is our other dog Colby. He’s a 2 year old Border Collie. He’s as active as Beebee is lazy.

And just because, here’s Chuckie the cat:

And now you know all our pets. Aren’t you so glad you stopped by here today? 😉

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On another note, thank you to all of you for your thoughts, prayers and kind words during the past few days.

Life is returning to normal, and I’m finally able to remember what day it is. I’m off to a hair appointment later this morning, and Mackenzie gets her 5 year old needle this afternoon. We’re going to do lunch in between. Fun stuff. Yesterday, an impromptu trip to Michael’s in the city with a dear friend made for a wonderful day. And I had a gift card for Michael’s which made it even better. Bag full of stuff, with no money spent!!!

God gave me a swift kick in the pants this morning. Don’t you just love it when that happens.

I’ve been feeling far from God the past little while. Life is busy, and there’s always an excuse for not getting together with Him.

This morning Ray had already left for work, I was wide awake at 5:45, thanks to his cell phone vibrating on the table, ( on a Saturday morning!!!) the kids were still asleep, and I thought that I would like to lie in bed and read for a while. So I got up to find a book, and walked past my Bible on the table. And heard a very clear voice in my head telling me to pick it up, open it up and READ it.

So I did what I always do when I’m out of a Bible reading habit. I opened it up, and just read random verses here and there. I was reading Psalms, and was cross-referencing a verse in Hebrews. And started reading in Hebrews. Chapter 4.

I’ve been especially tired lately. Except never in the evening when I should be. So I stay up late because I can’t sleep, but then am like a zombie later in the day. Until evening comes, when I’m wide awake again. Only to start the process all over again.

So when my eye caught a verse about rest, you know that I was all over it. 😉

Hebrews 4: 9-11 “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of disbelief.”

God did His work,and then He rested when it was finished. In verse 10, it is talking about Jesus entering Heaven when He finished His work. And in verse 11, we are told that we will enter that same rest–after we finish our work. Which is that no man fall under disbelief. So often I tell God that no, I’m too tired to do that too. Lord, I already do this, this, this and this for You. And those last two, Lord, they require alot of work, and keep me really busy, so You can’t really mean that You want me to do something else.

My job here on earth is to tell others about Him. And if I’m tired because of it, I know that I will have rest someday. But if I’m exhausted because I’m too busy doing other things, then it’s time to smarten up and do what I’m supposed to be doing.

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It’s been a rough week around here. While I don’t want to share any details, please pray for my family, as my Grandmother passed away yesterday. We’ve expected for a few days that it was coming, but it was still very sudden.

I’ll be back to the blog in a few days. Which reminds me that I haven’t introduced you to the newest member of our family yet. You’ll be able to meet her in a few days. I know, you just can’t wait. And yes, I am crazy.

And because my truck is going back in to the garage today for a wheel-bearing and again next week for a ball joint. So I’m being cranky, and don’t want to come up with anything on my own. 😉 Oh, and because this made me roar laughing yesterday, and I needed it. So funny!

We were sitting at prayer meeting last night. and we were doing a lot of flipping back and forth between the OT and the NT. This particular time we were in Isaiah and were going to Matthew. And I turned the wrong way. Yup, back towards Genesis. What was I thinking!! I was so embarrassed for myself. And my first instinct was to look around to see if anyone had noticed. Honestly, what a pathetic reaction.

Which brought to mind this post, and then it was all I could do not to laugh out loud at my silliness. Honestly! Who cares that I missed a turn.

Although, to be very honest, and up-front with you, I do have to admit that I am one of those people who is secretly having a “sword drill” with you every time we have to turn to a new verse. Especially if it’s a hard one–oh yeah, I’m going to beat you!

On a totally different note, look what I’m sipping my coffee from this morning:

I won this adorable mug a few weeks back on Andrea’s blog. It arrived earlier this week with a package of thank you notes. If you can’t read it, it says Psalms 25:10 “Every path He guides us on is fragrant with His loving kindness.” (THB)

Love it!

Andrea was actually one of the first blogs that I started reading who wasn’t someone that I knew IRL. And then she changed her name and I lost her, but then I found her, but my crazy computer was acting up and I couldn’t leave comments on blogger blogs, and then I got a new computer and found her again. I know! We have quite a history. 😉

All that to say, I’m so glad that I found her again (and not just for the mug!)

I’m off to take the truck in to get it serviced. Yay me! My favorite thing to do. At least it`s sunny and gorgeous here today, so M and I can go for a walk instead of waiting in the garage.

Last night was our Awana closing. We always go out with a bang, and this year was no exception. We had a Wild West theme, with many cowboys and cowgirls running around. It was lots of fun, and completely exhausting!

Here’s a few pictures, with more to follow when I get the rest. (Hi Shannon–no pressure!)

This is my little cowgirl! She’ll be old enough to a clubber next year–we can’t wait to have our whole family there together!

Here’s one of the cakes we had. Love the boots!This is one of the wanted posters we had hanging in the sanctuary. Ray and I did one for each leader. They were quite surprised. And the kids loved it!This is one of my boys! We got pictures of most the clubbers “riding the horse”.

I’ll post more pictures later of our decorated sanctuary, and the cute prizes.

It was a fabulous evening. Lots of food, prizes, and awards given out. Exhausting, but so worth it. And now we’ll enjoy a break until September!